Kirkland Sends 4 Firefighters To Help At Lake Tahoe Wildfire

KIRKLAND, WA — The Kirkland Fire Department sent some help to California this week, where scores of firefighters from across the West are working to contain a wildfire burning near Lake Tahoe. The Caldor Fire forced a full evacuation of the city of South Lake Tahoe, which would typically be packed with visitors heading into the long Labor Day weekend, and flames continue to threaten thousands of homes.

The fast-moving fire has already burned nearly 200,000 acres and reminded just 20 percent contained Wednesday. According to the Associated Press, California officials estimate more than 15,000 firefighters, including out-of-state crews, were actively fighting dozens of blazes across the Golden State.

Kirkland sent a team of four to lend a hand at the fire near Lake Tahoe, where they expect to be deployed through mid-September. A spokesperson for the city said the California-bound crew includes Captain Ivan Huld and firefighter Shawn McDougall, both employed with Kirkland for 23 years, along with Robby Holmes, a 15-year veteran, and Brett Christiansen, with 10 years of service in the city.

The city shared a photo of the three of the firefighters standing outside their truck shortly before they left on the journey Tuesday.